A rapid review of challenges and opportunities related to diversity and inclusion as experienced by early and mid-career academics in the medicine, dentistry and health sciences fields

Marianne Piano; Kristin Diemer; Michelle Hall; Flora Hui; Elaina Kefalianos; Belinda J Lawford; Gemma McKibbin; Rebecca J Jarden

doi:10.1186/s12909-023-04252-x

A rapid review of challenges and opportunities related to diversity and inclusion as experienced by early and mid-career academics in the medicine, dentistry and health sciences fields

BMC Med Educ. 2023 Apr 27;23(1):288. doi: 10.1186/s12909-023-04252-x.

Authors

Marianne Piano^{1

2}, Kristin Diemer³, Michelle Hall^{4

5}, Flora Hui^{6

7}, Elaina Kefalianos⁸, Belinda J Lawford^{4

5}, Gemma McKibbin³, Rebecca J Jarden^{9

10}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, 200 Berkeley Street, Carlton, VIC, 3053, Australia. marianne.coleman@unimelb.edu.au.
² National Vision Research Institute, Australian College of Optometry, Melbourne, Australia. marianne.coleman@unimelb.edu.au.
³ Department of Social Work, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
⁴ Department of Physiotherapy, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
⁵ Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
⁶ Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, 200 Berkeley Street, Carlton, VIC, 3053, Australia.
⁷ Centre for Eye Research Australia, Department of Surgery, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
⁸ Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
⁹ Department of Nursing, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
¹⁰ Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia.

Abstract

Background: Early- and mid-career academics in medicine, dentistry and health sciences are integral to research, education and advancement of clinical professions, yet experience significant illbeing, high attrition and limited advancement opportunities.

Objectives: Identify and synthesise published research investigating challenges and opportunities related to diversity and inclusion, as experienced by early and mid-career academics employed in medicine, dentistry and health sciences disciplines.

Design: Rapid review.

Data sources: OVID Medline, Embase, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL and Scopus.

Methods: We systematically searched for peer reviewed published articles within the last five years, investigating challenges and opportunities related to diversity and inclusion, as experienced by early and mid-career academics employed in medicine, dentistry and health sciences. We screened and appraised articles, then extracted and synthesised data.

Results: Database searches identified 1162 articles, 11 met inclusion criteria. Studies varied in quality, primarily reporting concepts encompassed by professional identity. There were limited findings relating to social identity, with sexual orientation and disability being a particularly notable absence, and few findings relating to inclusion. Job insecurity, limited opportunities for advancement or professional development, and a sense of being undervalued in the workplace were evident for these academics.

Conclusions: Our review identified overlap between academic models of wellbeing and key opportunities to foster inclusion. Challenges to professional identity such as job insecurity can contribute to development of illbeing. Future interventions to improve wellbeing in academia for early- and mid-career academics in these fields should consider addressing their social and professional identity, and foster their inclusion within the academic community.

Registration: Open Science Framework ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/SA4HX ).

Keywords: Academics; Diversity; Early Career; Inclusion; Mid-career; STEMM.

Publication types

Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Cultural Diversity*
Dentistry
Female
Forecasting
Humans
Male
Workplace*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding